A New Spout in Ripponlea

Jonathan Dvash found the suburb in Melbourne that hadn’t yet filled its cafe quota and promptly fixed the problem with Spout.

Photography: Bonnie Lo

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Photography: Bonnie Lo

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Photography: Bonnie Lo

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Published on 30 March 2012

by Livia Albeck-Ripka

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If there was one suburb still itching for a classic Melbourne eatery, it was diminutive Ripponlea, with its hotchpotch of boutique stores, kosher delis, an artisan baker, stained glass windowed chemist and three-hat restaurant, Attica.

Former waiter at The Pound, Jonathan Dvash has scratched that itch, having just opened the cafe locals have been hankering for.

Spout is big, bright and busy, with an open kitchen, inside and outdoor seating and a communal bar filled with newspapers and people waiting on takeaway coffees. The pared-back space has a rustic feel, with exposed brickwork and minimalist furnishings.

The menu, designed by co-owner and chef Ferris ‘Zul’ Khamsani puts a gentle Middle Eastern twist on old favourites, with dishes like shakshouka (Israeli eggs poached in tomato), homemade beans and sumac eggs featuring on the modest menu.

The beans are Allpress, resulting in very good coffee as well as chai and baby-chinos for their smaller customers.

With the locals taking to Spout like a dear old friend, it’s hard to believe it has only been a couple of weeks.

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